A ribbon-cutting ceremony is 11:30 a.m. Dec. 16 at Monterey Park, 7045 E. Monterey Ave. in Mesa, for the grand opening celebration of a new playground.

It is the first phase of the expansion of Monterey Park. Mesa Mayor John Giles, Councilmember Kevin Thompson and City Manager Chris Brady will be among those participating in the event, according to a calendar item post at mesaaz.gov.

Planned improvements are:

• Removal of existing equipment;
• New playground structure/equipment;
• New shade structure over the 5- to 12-year-olds equipment;
• An attached shade umbrella at the 2- to 5-year-olds structure;
• Removal of eight old swings and installation of eight new swings;
• New play surface material; and
• New LED lighting.

The park expansion includes constructing four lighted youth baseball/softball fields, a playground shade structure, additional parking
and also restrooms adjacent to the existing park near Power and Guadalupe.

See more about this project and others at mesaparks.com/parks-facilities/planning-and-development-projects.